The domestic rabbits are particularly cute animals, but they are also very intelligent, able to easily learn the basic hygiene routine. However, when people adopt these animals and observe that the rabbit pees outside the litter tray or that the rabbit poops everywhere except in the corner, they wonder how to train a rabbit to relieve itself.
If you are one of those who wonders why my rabbit poops everywhere, in this article on our site we will show you step by step how to teach a rabbit where relieve yourself, with simple guidelines to apply and always using positive reinforcement, the basis of correct learning that takes well-being into account.
How to choose a corner for rabbits?
Before explaining how to train a rabbit to relieve itself, your rabbit will have to know how to use any corner box first. For this reason, it will be essential to make a previous review of the different types of corners and substrates that exist, since this can influence the fact that our rabbit uses it or not.
Rabbit litter tray
The corner tray (also called a sanitary tray, hygienic tray, corner tray, corner tray or litter box for rabbits) is a triangular-shaped structure, usually plastic, which may or may not include a grid. We recommend removing the grid, as this can eventually cause damage to the rabbit's soft pads:
- Malposition
- Pain
- Wounds
- Sores
- Infections
There are many other models of rabbit litter boxes on the market, some with closed lids and others with walls on both sides. However, we must ensure that our rabbit can see everything that is happening around him, as we must remember that these animals are hunted in the wild and are constantly on the alert, even in the bathroom.
Since it takes up very little space, it is advisable distribute several trays around the home, to minimize possible accidents with the rabbit. They should be cleaned frequently, since once they start to be used they fill up quickly.
It is also highly advisable to place hay in the litter tray, because in addition to encouraging them to come closer, many rabbits like to eat hay while they use it. However, it is common for the hay in the corner to spoil quickly, because the rabbit urinates and defecates on it. For this reason, we currently find sandboxes with a specific shelf for hay.
If you can't get a rabbit corner, don't worry, you can use a cat litter box, always bearing in mind following tips:
- It should be as big as possible: avoid trays smaller than 35 x 20 x 25 cm.
- Make sure that is not too high: because the rabbit must have easy access.
Substrate or bedding for rabbits
To finish we will review the different types of substrates that we can find on the market. The most common are those made of vegetable fibers, recycled paper or hemp, but there are many more. How to teach a rabbit to relieve itself can be easier thanks to the substrate that we use, since we must keep trying until we find the one that our rabbit likes the most.
The most important thing is that it be a natural and fresh substrate, that it does not leave dust and that it is specific for rabbits. In no case will we use cat litter. It must also be made of a safe material, that the rabbit can ingest without causing he alth problems, as we must remember that they are very curious animals and that they tend to nibble on everything. Likewise, it should be absorbent, easy to clean and, if possible, it should retain the smell well.
Why does my rabbit poop everywhere?
Now that you know the types of corner pieces that exist and the substrates you should use, you have probably entered this article because you are wondering why my rabbit shits all over parts When we ask ourselves this question, it also includes peeing everywhere, so we talk about our rabbit not knowing how to do his business where he belongs.
Some of the reasons that can cause this practice in your rabbit are:
- Heat status: one of the most common practices of rabbits in heat, since it is a way of marking the areas of home. In this case, we should consult with our trusted veterinarian to see if the best option is to castrate them. You can consult more information about Heat in male and female rabbits in the following article that we recommend.
- Use of chemical products: some products such as bleach or hydrochloric acid can have an adverse reaction in our rabbits, since the strong odor can make your urge to relieve itself increase. In this way, if we throw these products around the house, it is normal for them to shit everywhere.
- Coexistence with other animals: in the same way that when rabbits are in heat they mark places in the house with their droppings, they also do it if they live with other animals. So, perhaps this is one of the reasons why "my rabbit shits everywhere". This works for them to show other animals that this house is theirs too.
Continue reading to find out how to train a rabbit to relieve itself.
How to teach a rabbit to relieve itself in one place?
Once we have solved the question of why my rabbit shits everywhere, now we are going to see how to teach a rabbit to go to the bathroom. To begin with, remember that throughout this process you will have to be very patient and you will have to use the positive reinforcement In no case:
- We will punish
- We'll scold
- We'll yell at the rabbit
Place the corner piece in the cage
One of the best ways on how to potty train a rabbit is to start with the corner. To avoid the presence of droppings and urine in the home, many people prefer to start learning in the rabbit's cage, although you can also start in alimited area of the house Let us remember that these animals require a lot of space, so we must offer them a spacious and comfortable environment, which will help us prevent the appearance of stress in the rabbit.
We will place the litter tray in the corner of the rabbit's cage or space, following the tips and tricks that we have mentioned in the previous section, such as laying hay to stimulate him. It is also interesting to place a single type of substrate in the corner, to avoid possible confusion.
Do not forget that rabbits do not always control their sphincters well, therefore, you must be very patient and empathic, understanding that your rabbit does not urinate and defecate all over the cage wanting to, but becausedoesn't know how to do it properly In fact, councils are very clean animals.
Put their feces in the cage
The following method on how to potty train a rabbit is based on observing your rabbit after putting up the corner. When we notice that it raises its tail (a characteristic gesture that they carry out before urinating and defecating) we can grab it and quickly take it to its corner, to urinate or poop there.
If your rabbit keeps peeing and shitting everywhere, take some toilet paper, Soak up the urine well and collect the feces, which you will place in the corner. The scent will guide your rabbit back there to do its bowel movements.
They usually choose the same place to relieve themselves, so if you have several corners, don't hesitate to distribute the feces and papers with urine in all of them, which must have the same shape, that's how it will be easier for him to associate.
It will also be essential to clean the areas where you relieve yourself with enzymatic products, in this way we will eliminate the trail and prevent it from doing it again in the same place.
There is another trick that we can use when teaching a rabbit to use the corner, which is to Leave a bit of the old substratewhen we renew it for the new one. In this way we will also leave the smell of their urine and excrement present in the litter box.
Consider the castration option
To finish, it is worth noting that castration is a very useful tool, both in males and females, because after When the heat comes, it is very likely that our rabbit will mark all over the house, spraying with urine different areas.
Use positive reinforcement
To finish this article on how to teach the rabbit to relieve itself, we see that as we follow these steps the rabbit will associate correctlythe corner with the place where you should relieve yourself.
Even so, we can enhance it even more by using positive reinforcement, how can we do it? We can use tasty treats, such as some of the fruits and vegetables recommended for rabbits, but the use of voice, a "very good" or gentle petting is also helpful. In no case will we use punishment with our rabbit, as this will only cause fear, uncertainty and break the bond with the caretaker.
If you have been interested in this article on how to teach a rabbit where to relieve itself, you may also be interested in taking a look at the following video on our site on rabbit care.
